First Day: Chinese Opera singer Zhu Qin at home on the Australian stage

For Chinese opera singer Zhu Qin, arriving in Australia was the first time she left her homeland - but she’s never looked back.

Zhu Qin with her Shaoxing Opera costumes, uses her Chinese culture as a way to connect with others and feel more at home in a multicultural Australia. Source: Philip Ly

Zhu Qin is giving a voice to Chinese opera in Australia.

She performs Shaoxing Opera, a genre of traditional Chinese opera based around romantic themes, performed with an all-female cast.

Her move to Australia in 2006 was the first time she stepped foot outside Nanjiang, China, where she was born.

“I chose Australia simply for a better life and also thought it would be a better place to raise my child,” Ms Qin said.

“On the bus from Sydney Airport, I had my boy, 5, on my lap. Our eyes were filled full with the colour of the beautiful blue sky and white clouds, which was so pleasant and refreshing.

“There were not that many skyscrapers here like what we have in big cities in China, but the different kinds of houses surrounded by leafy trees and grasslands gave us a feeling of tranquility and harmony.”

Chinese Opera singer Zhu Qin arrived in Australia in 2006 with her son. Source: Supplied

She worked hard to own her own small business and operated a coffee shop.

It seemed picture perfect, but improving her English was always a challenge.

“English problems created barriers for me and conversations were difficult," she said. "But it didn’t really matter because everyone was still very friendly and nice.”

Well-known in China for her performances, she decided to draw on her passion for singing here.

“Shaoxing Opera is a beautiful art with very soft singing, beautiful cloths and interesting stories,” she said.

Part of the Australian Shaoxing Opera Troupe, she began to use her talents as a way to connect more with her new home.

Chinese Opera singer Zhu Qin performing. Source: Supplied

“If I see more Australians coming to understand and appreciate Shaoxing opera I can then say to myself, ‘ok, now I feel like I am more accepted by society,’” she said.

“I have a great dream, that is to promote this beautiful graceful art form in Australia, and not only among people of Chinese background, but also to the majority of Australian audiences too.”

And after 10 years of living in Australia, she said this place now feels more like home than home.

“I enjoy living in Australia, and China is good for traveling,” she said.